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Garth Chester (1916-1968) was a New Zealand furniture designer and maker who is considered one of the most important figures in the development of mid-century modern design in the country. Chester was born in South Africa in 1916 and moved to New Zealand with his family in 1924. He studied furniture design at the Elam School of Fine Arts in Auckland, graduating in 1940. After graduating, Chester worked as a designer for a number of furniture manufacturers in Auckland. In 1944, he established his own furniture firm, Originals, in Penrose, Auckland.

Chester's furniture designs were innovative and often pushed the boundaries of existing technology. He was particularly interested in the use of plywood, which he used to create a number of striking and original chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture. One of Chester's most famous designs is the Curvesse chair, which was created in 1944. more... The Curvesse chair is a cantilevered plywood chair that is considered to be one of the first of its kind in the world. It is now a highly sought-after collectors' item.

Other notable Chester designs include the Astoria chair, the Bikini chair, and the Nicholson Chapel chair. Chester's furniture is now held in the collections of major New Zealand museums, including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Chester died in 1968, aged 52. less...

An iconic New Zealand Garth Chester 'Curvesse' chair,…
Iconic New Zealand Garth Chester 'Curvesse' Chair, c.1944

An iconic New Zealand Garth Chester 'Curvesse' chair, constructed from a single piece of bent plywood, c.1944. This chair remains the single most significant piece of furniture produced in New Zealand.

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An early Garth Chester chair, 1916-1968. Early design showing…
Vintage Garth Chester Chair, 1916-1968, Early Design with Curves

An early Garth Chester chair, 1916-1968. Early design showing details similarly seen in his 'Curvesse' and '1947 Nicholson Chapel' chair designs, height 28.35 in., width 24.02 in., diameter 22.05 in.

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A Garth Chester magazine rack, 1950s. Made from bent ply with a…
1950s Garth Chester Magazine Rack: Bent Ply and Steel Handle

A Garth Chester magazine rack, 1950s. Made from bent ply with a steel handle. Garth Chester is one of New Zealand's most celebrated industrial designers. His innovative use of steam bent plywood, perhaps best shown in his iconic 1944 Curvesse chair, can be

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A Garth Chester coffee table, 1950s, New Zealand. Wooden…
1950s Garth Chester Coffee Table with Metal Hairpin Legs

A Garth Chester coffee table, 1950s, New Zealand. Wooden tabletop with stylised metal hairpin legs. Garth Chester is one of New Zealand's most celebrated industrial designers. After a suspicious fire destroyed his factory and plywood press in the 1950s, Ch

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Greg Smith clear chair, inspired by Garth Chester's Curvesse…
Clear Curvesse Chair by Greg Smith

Greg Smith clear chair, inspired by Garth Chester's Curvesse chair. In clear acrylic poly laminate, 1 of 2. Made in 2009

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A Concept Garth Chester Bikini chair, as its namesake would…
Bikini Chair by Garth Chester

A Concept Garth Chester Bikini chair, as its namesake would suggest, this concept chair took inspiration from the swimwear beginning to take hold through the mid century period. With its sinuous design evoking a strapless bikini top, this is a perfect embo

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Garth Chester, a fine and original pair of 'Curvesse' chairs,…
Iconic Curvesse Chair: A Unique Kiwi Design

Garth Chester, a fine and original pair of 'Curvesse' chairs, designed in 1944. The 'Curvesse' chair is an icon of New Zealand design. Author Douglas Lloyd-Jenkins, in his book at home: a century of New Zealand design, notes that the Curvesse chair was 'th

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A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, c1944, bent plywood, height 82…
Garth Chester's iconic Curvesse chair

A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, c1944, bent plywood, height 32.28 in., width 23.62 in., depth 24.41 in., Auckland born Garth Chester (1916-1968) is a pioneer of New Zealand design and, just looking at the Curvesse chair, it isn't hard to see why.,…

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A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, C. 1944, bent plywood, height…
Garth Chester's Cantilevered Plywood Curvesse Chair

A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, C. 1944, bent plywood, height 29.53 in., width 23.62 in., depth 28.35 in., Auckland born Garth Chester (1916-1968) is a pioneer of New Zealand design and, just looking at the Curvesse chair, it isn't hard to see why,…

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A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, C. 1944, bent plywood, height…
Garth Chester's Iconic Curvesse Chair: A Kiwi Design Triumph

A Garth Chester Curvesse chair, C. 1944, bent plywood, height 32.28 in., width 23.62 in., diameter 24.41 in., Auckland born Garth Chester (1916-1968) is a pioneer of New Zealand design and, just looking at the Curvesse chair, it isn't hard to see why.,…

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An iconic New Zealand Garth Chester Curvesse chair, constructed…
Iconic New Zealand Curvesse Chair, 1944

An iconic New Zealand Garth Chester Curvesse chair, constructed from a single piece of bent plywood, c.1944. This chair remains the single most significant piece of furniture produced in New Zealand, in good polished finish

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Garth Chester, winter's salon chair, with paddle shaped arms…
Green Leatherette Salon Chair by Garth Chester

Garth Chester, winter's salon chair, with paddle shaped arms raised on tapering cylindrical legs, green leatherette upholstery, height 34.84 in., width 25.20 in., diameter 19.29 in.

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Garth Chester, set of four dining chairs, plywood framed with…
Plywood Dining Chairs with Vintage Vinyl Upholstery

Garth Chester, set of four dining chairs, plywood framed with original vinyl upholstery

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A proto-type plywood 'Curvette' chair by Greg Smith, inspired…
Proto-type Plywood 'Curvette' Chair by Greg Smith

A proto-type plywood 'Curvette' chair by Greg Smith, inspired by Garth Chester's Curvesse chair, one of three similar chairs made, an example exhibited 'Ply-Ability Exhibition, Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery, 2009/10

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A Garth Chester 'Nicholson Chapel' chair, c1945, plywood with…
Rare Garth Chester 'Nicholson Chapel' Chair, c1945

A Garth Chester 'Nicholson Chapel' chair, c1945, plywood with original varnished finish, originally from a conjoined pair. Note; Only 50 of these chairs were commissioned.

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A Garth Chester bent plywood Curvesse chair. Height 77 cm.…
Bent Plywood Curvesse Chair by Garth Chester

A Garth Chester bent plywood Curvesse chair. Height 30.31 in. Width 23.82 in.

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Garth Chester. a pair of salon winter's salon chairs,…
Black and Orange Salon Chairs by Garth Chester

Garth Chester. a pair of salon winter's salon chairs, upholstered in black and orange vinyl

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Garth Chester, lounge chair, on splayed legs, later upholstered…
Splayed Leg Lounge Chair in Sanderson Fabric

Garth Chester, lounge chair, on splayed legs, later upholstered in Sanderson fabric

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Garth Chester, rare white and green painted side table, in the…
White and Green Side Table in Nicholson Chapel Style

Garth Chester, rare white and green painted side table, in the manner of the seating made for the Nicholson Chapel in Napier. Diameter 22.83 in. high.23.62 in.

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Garth Chester, bent plywood curvesse chair
Bent Plywood Curvesse Chair by Garth Chester

Garth Chester, bent plywood curvesse chair

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Garth Chester, bent plywood Curvesse chair
Bent Plywood Curvesse Chair by Garth Chester

Garth Chester, bent plywood Curvesse chair

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Garth Chester, a rare Winter's salon chair, with paddle shaped…
Winter's Salon Chair with Green Leatherette Upholstery

Garth Chester, a rare Winter's salon chair, with paddle shaped arms raised on tapering cylindrical legs with brass feet, green leatherette upholstery

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Garth Chester, a pair of rare salon chairs, in original…
Rare Garth Chester Salon Chairs with Original Vinyl Covering

Garth Chester, a pair of rare salon chairs, in original condition with original red vinyl covering, curved ply back and shaped arms raised on tapering legs. These important chairs were part of a small group made by Garth Chester for Winter's Beauty Salon

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Garth Chester, bent plywood Curvesse chair
Bent Plywood Curvesse Chair by Garth Chester

Garth Chester, bent plywood Curvesse chair

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